Definitions Flashcards
Define ‘Primary Data’
Data collected by sociologists for their own purposes
Define ‘Secondary Data’
Data which has been collected by someone for their own purposes
Define ‘Quantitative Date’
Numerical data
Define ‘Qualitative Data’
Data which is detailed, and which gives a feel for what something is like
Define ‘Informed Constent’
Participants should understand relevant aspects of research and have the right to refuse
Define ‘Confidentiality’
Participants identities should be kept secret
Define ‘Covert Research’
When the researcher’s identity and purpose is kept hidden from the participants
Define ‘Validity’
A method which produces a true or genuine picture of what something is like
Define ‘Reliability’
A method that when repeated be another researcher will give the same results
Define ‘Representatativeness’
Whether or not the participants are a typical cross-section of the group we are studying
Define ‘Methodological Perspective’
Sociologists choice of method is dictated by their view of society
Define ‘Interpretivists’
Believe there is no objective reality, individuals construct their own meanings, our actions are shaped on those meanings not on external forces. Interested in feelings and motivations.
Define ‘Positivists’
Belief that there’s and objective factual reality and we can measure it. Our actions are shaped by external forces. Interested in patterns of behaviour.
Define ‘Hawthorne Effect’
If people know they’re being researched they may act differently.
Define ‘Free Will’
Interpretivists argue human beings are different to other natural things because we have free will. Our behaviour can’t be explained by cause and effect.
